New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-16
MUSIC.
THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY

THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
For the third concert of the Philharmonic Society
which took place at the Metropolitan Opera House last
night the following programme was offered:
Symphony SUnanished) in minor Schubert
AN Miss Laura Moore. '''''''
dilute obbioat, Mr.. wehner)
symphony No 4. In minor, Op. 49, -.....Brahms
song The Unkn0wp Land d.; .Beriio1
Symphonic Poem, /" Die Ideale INSTRUMENTATION
There was greater number of vacant chairs In the
audience room than have been at a Philharmonic
Concert for many years. It would be interesting know
why. The programme Of much interest and
barring the symphonic poem, whose c0herency and
beauty, If 1t has either, WILL we fear, remain con-
ceaed till chaos be come again, the music was
all beautiful The annual of Schuberts lovely
symphonic fragment is annual delight Of the ex
qnse kind There is beauty of transcendent and pcren
NAL freshness, beauty which, when compared even
with that OF the new symphony by Brahms, q work
which we believe to belong to the noblest
and most beautiful OF latterday produc-
tons in this department OF musical literature
is by the comparison only made shine the brighter
The vocal numbers unhackneyed and sung by
artist who gave genuine pleasure when she appeared
for the first time before New York audience one of
Mr. Thomass popular concerts. The weather do
ghtful Why them the rule OF Philharmonic attend
ance broken We opne that the fact that the preceding
of this not up to the standard OF the
last few years either in the character OF the
the merit or the bands playing furnishes the expsna
ton.
The new symphony by Brahms was heard under much
more favorable circumstances than when 1t was given
for the first time In this country by the Symphony
Society December III. The conviction
expressed in a review Of that performance has been
strongly confirmed by the two subsequent hearings,
Friday afternoon and last night 1t is beautiful cOmpo
sition symphony which will help to keep Herr Brahms
in the position no long ago conquered the foremost
musician of the II may be that Its beauties will
be recognized slowly the present is
exceedingly critical time) than those OF
the symphonies In minor and
but they the work and will receive their need Of
appreciation in all cultured communities. II is sym
phony with q most decided individuality. Every bar
in it stamps it the creation of Herr Brahms dis
tncty as every bar OF wagners music the
impress OF that colossal musical draInatst But II is not
only pronountedly the work OF ITS COMPOSER aso
vital. effective; and they are handled with consummnte
ton fhe scepc will search in vain for tinge
OF the commonplace II Is serious music and
taste but ia the creation OF master mind whose
OF spiraton lofty, whose taste is refined and who
handled the elements Of musical composition with FREQ
and potent power directed to definite and digned end
1t meets Of the most difficult OF symphonic require,
formally ASSOCIATED movements The spiritual link
between rs parts is unm stakabe The two middle move
most directly pleasing the serious Import the deli
sas fancy as vigorous saS
and ingenious scholarship which characteIizs tho
miraton OF musicians The ANeo gocOois brimu or ami
nation and comes nearer to rejecting the prevailing spirit
OF Beethovens Scberzos without belonging like them
TO progeny OF the old mnueit is in double instead Of
triple timel than any OF the corresponding movements
Of It's three predecessors The Anddn has schnhertian
grace and righteousness and was happily consored last
night with the exquisite torso left by the greatest Of
lyric poets among musicians. The extreme del.
icacy OF treatment which IA demanded OK
ali the instruments In the orchestra makes
the symphony a difficult to play we'll Last nights
performance. though fautless most praiseworhy
and Mr. Thomass reading was lucid and elegant II not
particularly virile -
Miss Moore's first air from old opera entitled
"Zemir ct AzOr"One OF innumerable versions OF the
ancient fable OF Beauty and the Beast"
in form 1t is old fashioned but its melodies
are. extremely graceful and pretty; The song
by Beroz the last OF set OF six which the French mu
stefan composed with panoore orchestral aceompan
ment and published as Opus under the title
LES Nuts dete" II is dainty barcaIole
Miss Moore sang the music of both pieces
with delightful purity OF tone except when
in the first limit of effectiveness in her voice was
passed. required very intent listening 70 discover
that she sang La Fauvette in French and The I'm
known Land in English Under such circumstances
there be discussion OF her Interpretation OF the
pieces.